According to PdnHF Officials, “The purpose of the HEAL initiative is to make healthy eating and active living the easy choice for youth and their families.”

Via their website, the foundation explains, “Nutrition and physical activity have well documented effects on health. Regardless of weight, a high quality diet can combat many chronic diseases. Active living involves two important and distinct components: being physically active and minimizing sedentary time. The HEAL initiative places emphasis on program and policy interventions that positively impact large numbers of residents, are sustainable, can potentially be scaled, and have measurable results.”

The Funded organizations are:

Arbol de Vida – $142,973.88

HEAL To promote physical fitness and nutrition among children in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico.

Border Partners – $78672.00

Healthy Eating and Active Living in the Binational Border Region of Luna County, New Mexico and Puerto Palomas de Villa, Chihuahua, MX To offer promotora-led nutrition classes, home gardening and the creation of facilities for physical activity to increase fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity opportunities for 1,400 children and their families in Palomas, Chihuahua, Mexico.

To provide healthy meals, teach portion control and preparation of healthy foods and offer physical activities for 250 children ages 6-16 across six community centers in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, México over 12 months.

Counseling Center Inc. – $31,328.00 | Eat Well Otero

A partnership with Otero County Community Health Council to implement the Eat Well Otero program, which helps restaurants offer h

ealthier options and standardized appropriate portion sizes in Otero County, New Mexico over 12 months.

Kelly Memorial Food Pantry – $143,535.00 | FreshStart @Kelly, Phase 2

To pilot test sustainability of the Fresh Place model to assist pantry clients in achieving self-sufficiency in El Paso, Texas.

New Mexico State University Foundation, Inc. – $212,602.50 | Aggie Play

To encourages young girls after-school to participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity through mentorship by female volunteer role-models (i.e., NMSU female student-athletes) over 24 months in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

New Mexico State University Foundation, Inc. – $96,197.20 | NMSU Dietetics Intern Program

To increase the annual graduation of Registered Dietitian (RDs) from 6 to 12 per year and prepare additional qualified professionals to fill open RDs positions in the Paso del Norte region.

Paso del Norte Children’s Development Center – $262,101.62 | Off to a Good Start Eating Our Way to a Healthy Life

To introduce, implement and sustain the Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding Program® in the Paso del Norte region. The SOS helps children with special needs eat healthy.

Texans Care for Children – $25,000.00

General purpose grant in support of policy and advocacy programs to improve the health and wellness of Texas children and families To provide a legislative debrief in El Paso, Texas.

For more information on these grants, call Michael Kelly, Vice President of Programs at 915-544-7636 or mkelly@pdnhf.org.